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Another Day with Ana Marie Cox

More than Flyover Country: Sarah Smarsh on her book Heartland

Another Day with Ana Marie Cox

Ana Marie Cox and Open Mike Eagle

News, Arts, Performing Arts, Business, Society & Culture, Politics

4.66.4K Ratings

🗓️ 1 February 2019

⏱️ 57 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week proud Kansas native Sarah Smarsh (@Sarah_Smarsh) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to discuss her new book Heartland: A Memoir of Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth. From not knowing you’re poor, to feeling shame about your social class, Sarah Smarsh covers what growing up white and working class is like. Next, they discussed the intersection of public policy and private life, and why accurate media portrayal of poverty matters. Sarah ended by adding onto the call for representation amongst journalists and other media figures: “If we don’t know who we are, and we’re just going by these reductive and simplistic narratives, then how can we ever solve the problem?” Thanks to our sponsors! ZipRecruiter finds qualified candidates FOR you. Its powerful matching technology scans thousands of resumes to identify people with the right skills, education, and experience — and actively invites them to apply to your job. So, you get qualified candidates fast. Try ZipRecruiter FOR FREE at this exclusive web address: ZipRecruiter.com/friends Using millions of real women’s measurements, ThirdLove designs its bras with breast size and shape in mind for an impeccable fit and incredible feel. ThirdLove’s team of expert Fit Stylists are dedicated to helping you find your perfect fit. If you don’t love their product, returns and exchanges are free and easy. Go to THIRDLOVE.com/FRIENDS now to find your perfect-fitting bra… and get 15% off your first purchase! Article is an online-only furniture copy. By eliminating the layers of traditional retail, Article is able to keep prices low and quality high. No showrooms, no sales people, just savings. ARTICLE IS OFFERING OUR LISTENERS $50 OFF THEIR FIRST PURCHASE OF $100 OR MORE. TO CLAIM, VISIT ARTICLE.com/FRIENDS.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi, I'm Anna Marie Cox and welcome to With Friends Like These.

0:06.1

The show where we talk about the differences between us without letting them divide us.

0:11.9

There was a Twitter thread that popped up for me today.

0:16.8

It was started by Girl Ziplocked at Girl Ziplocked and she asked, what's something about being

0:23.1

poor that middle-class people absolutely don't understand?

0:27.8

I recommend that you read this thread.

0:30.5

If you're a regular listener to the show, perhaps these answers will not surprise you.

0:36.1

But they reveal just a simple truth.

0:38.9

No access to the internet.

0:40.8

No such thing is back to school shopping.

0:43.1

How much a parking ticket or flat tire can literally ruin your life.

0:46.9

Not being able to go to college because your parents can't afford the $50 for the SAT.

0:52.7

We don't like to talk about poverty in this country.

0:55.0

We don't like to talk about class.

0:58.6

But it's something that we should talk about.

1:00.5

And my guest this week, Sarah Smarsh, actually has given us a wonderful and beautiful opportunity

1:07.2

to talk about it.

1:08.5

Her book Heartland, A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth,

1:14.4

is beautifully written.

1:16.8

It is both a memoir and a...

1:20.0

I would say it's going to say it's a searing memoir and an elegant evocation of all of the

1:26.2

different kinds of policies and pressures that have shaped the working class in our country.

...

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